Cross-Connections between water supplies and non-potable sources of contamination represent one of the most significant threats to health in the water supply industry.

Backflow is the reversal of water from its intended direction due to a pressure differential. It can occur anywhere that has a potential cross-connection in a water system, including: dishwashers, garbage disposals, toilets, shower heads, faucets, pools, lawn irrigation systems, fountains, and hoses.

The Cross Connection Program is designed to maintain the standards of water potability of the City’s distribution system by establishing rules and procedures to control potential cross-connection and to prevent the contamination of public drinking water from other liquids, materials, and sources other than its intended source by installing approved backflow devices.

Installing parallel backflow devices can allow for required tests to be performed without interrupting water service.